Milwaukee plans to extend the streetcar route to the Wisconsin Center District convention hall just in time for the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

Mayor Tom Barrett on Wednesday unveiled plans to extend The Hop to Wisconsin Avenue by next summer. He also announced engineering plans for two additional legs that would stretch the streetcar route north past Fiserv Forum into Bronzeville and south into Walker's Point.

"When we first started talking about the streetcar, I talked about how my vision was to start in the heart of the city and then move into the neighborhoods," Barrett said in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "And so today, we're announcing our initial efforts to start the process to extend it into the neighborhoods."

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Passengers on the first run Friday of The Hop disembark the streetcar at the opening ceremony at Cathedral Square Park stop.(Photo: Michael Sears / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The extension plans would amount to a major expansion of the 2.1-mile streetcar loop, adding about 2.4 miles of additional route.

The plans must first be approved by the Common Council.

If approved, the $28 million Wisconsin Avenue extension would be about 0.4 mile long, Public Works Commissioner Jeff Polenske said.

It would run north from St. Paul Avenue on Phillips Avenue, turn through what is now a vacant lot on Wisconsin Avenue, continue south on 5th Street back to St. Paul, and then run east where it will connect with the existing route.

Construction of the Wisconsin Avenue extension would begin this fall with utility work, with track construction starting as soon as possible in 2020, Polenske said.

"There'll be people who say that we're doing it in conjunction with the DNC, but for me, the overriding issue is — I have been very consistent in saying — this is intended to bring the neighborhoods in as well," Barrett said. "And this is a vehicle to do it."

Barrett acknowledged the streetcar still has its detractors but added that most people he talks to want it to have a bigger route.

"By far more often what I hear from people is, 'When is it going to come to my neighborhood?'" he said.

The mayor wants to pay for the Wisconsin Avenue extension locally through tax increment financing by amending six existing TIF districts, which essentially means the project would not affect the property tax levy.

But critics argue that such projects can affect the property tax base.

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Matt Callies, of Signs and Lines by Stretch, works Thursday on placing a Giannis Antetokounmpo poster. One of Milwaukee's streetcars, known as The Hop, is fitted with a replica Bucks court on the floor in support of the Bucks playoff run in Milwaukee. In addition to the interior flair, the exterior was being wrapped in Milwaukee Bucks colors. Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Eric Ewald, of Signs and Lines by Stretch, places Bucks decorations on the ceiling of the streetcar. One of Milwaukee's streetcars, known as The Hop, is fitted with a replica Bucks court on the floor in support of the Bucks playoff run. Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Eric Ewald (left), with Signs and Lines by Stretch, measures a logo before placing it on the floor as co-worker Matt Callies take a measurement. One of Milwaukee's streetcars, known as The Hop, is being fitted with Bucks gear in support of the Bucks' playoff run.
Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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For the Bronzeville and Walkers Point extensions, city officials would use TIF district money as a local match for federal funds they hope to receive through a capital improvement program for transit projects.

The Hop currently runs on a loop through downtown and the Historic Third Ward between the Milwaukee Intermodal Station, 433 W. St. Paul Ave., and Burns Commons, at East Ogden and North Prospect avenues.

The $124 million project so far includes five streetcars, 18 stations, tracks, overhead wires and a maintenance facility.

Construction of the project is funded with a $55 million federal grant and money generated by Milwaukee tax financing districts.

The $3.2 million annual operating budget will be covered by fares, advertising revenue, federal grants and cash from city parking meters and parking lots.

Rides on the streetcar are free for the first year under a $10 million, 12-year sponsorship with Potawatomi Hotel & Casino.

Tracks also have been laid for a lakefront loop that would open in 2020. That line would extend through the Couture, a high-rise apartment tower planned by Barrett Lo Visionary Development LLC.